Here is a world communion service celebrated at
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
A Rich Feast for All Peoples
World Communion Celebration
Friday, October 8, 2010 – Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Gathering Music-drums call us to worship
Call to Worship
One: Creator God, timeless and ageless
You have brought the abundance of the earth into existence
So that all your children might be nourished and sustained.
All: We thank and welcome you!
Sung refrain (a cappella)
English: Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.
Spanish: Espíritu del Dios vivo, desciende nuevamente en nosotros.
Portuguese : Espirito do santo Deus, venha sobre nós.
One: Sophia, God of all wisdom and knowing
You teach us to seek balance and justice in all we do.
All: We thank and welcome you!
Sung refrain (a cappella)
English: Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.
Spanish: Espíritu del Dios vivo, desciende nuevamente en nosotros.
Portuguese : Espirito do santo Deus, venha sobre nós.
One: Holy Spirit, God of power and might,
Guide and direct our worship
And join our hearts with those of your people across the earth.
All: Halleluiah!
Sung refrain (a cappella)
English: Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.
Spanish: Espíritu del Dios vivo, desciende nuevamente en nosotros.
Portuguese : Espirito do santo Deus, venha sobre nós.
Call to Confession – Extemporaneous
Prayer of Confession (unison)
Holy God, we confess that even as we praise you as Creator, we do damage in the world you have created. We fail to remember our brothers and sisters around the world, people who struggle to live, people who have wisdom to offer us from the very margins of existence. We fail to remember that you made us from the dust of this earth, earth that you call good. We sit by and watch as the earth is destroyed by the same forces that cause poverty and oppression in human communities.
Jesus, clothe us with the capacity to communicate faith and love to each and everyone who is needy. Empower us to see them with eyes of compassion. May we identify with their problems and demonstrate our concern by lending a helping hand at the appropriate moment. Open our minds and hearts so that we may be able to reach across all barriers. Give us means necessary and the genuine desire to become a people of God, instruments for healing.
Come to us, Spirit of Life, and free us. Show us who you created us to be. Invite us once again into a vibrant, healthy, joyful communion with all your world. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Declaration of Forgiveness – Pouring the water at the Baptismal Font
Offering
This semester our offering supports the work of Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Dare to Care, and Bread for the World.
Anthem Haleluyah!/We Are Marching /Amazing Grace Paul Halley, arr. Louie Bailey
Seminary Choir
Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona, di thabile kaofela.
Ke Morena Jeso, ya re dumenletseng,
Ya re dumeletseng ho tsamaisa evangedi.
Hallelujah! We sing your praises, all our hearts are filled with gladness.
Christ the Lord to us said: I am wine, I am bread, give to all who thirst and hunger.
–South African, collected by Anders Nyberg
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching, marching, marching,
O, O, we are marching in the light of God
Siya hanb’ ekukhanyen; kwenkos,
Si ya hamba, hamba, siy hamba, hamba,
Siya hamb’ ekukhanyen’kwenkos.
–South African, collected by Anders Nyberg
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see.
–John Newton
Prayer for Illumination:
Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-10
Sermon: “A Rich Feast for All Peoples” Amy Pauw
Hymn: Presbyterian Hymnal #518 Una Espiga (Louie-piano, Brennan-guitar, Alissa-song leader)
Sing verse 1 in English, then verse 1 in Spanish, then verse 3 in English followed by verse by 3 in Spanish.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
“Let all who are thirty come;
Let them drink of the water that has no price.
Let all who are hungry come;
Let them eat of the bread that has no cost.
All without money, come, buy, and eat!
Drink what is good, and delight in the Holy One.”
PRESENTE!
At this point C. speaks of how we are approaching the table with many who are not with us; the speaker will pause for the congregation to speak aloud the name of one who has passed in the struggle for justice, etc. Members of our class in the audience can declare particular names we want to make sure that are included with this focus, i.e., Romero, etc.
THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Amy: The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Claudio: Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Carlos: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: It is our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise for you looked upon all your hands wrought and called it good.
You smiled upon purple mountains soaring above wildflower plains
where grasses raise their backs to meet your Spirit’s caress
as it blows the leaves of trees into a shimmer of light.
You sent clouds scuttling across reflective waters
and set stars to wink upon the earth in deep, knowing delight.
You call the tune for dolphins dancing in the play of waves,
giraffes deliberating across savannahs,
birds singing in full-throated praise
and children’s giggles as they roam free in your image.
When we use our freedom for ourselves alone
without regard for your goodness,
you chase after us to save us from sin’s harm,
freeing us from slavery to give us a new world
flowing with milk and honey.
When we chase after other gods,
you call us back to you
through the cries of prophets
until at last you send your own child
to be for us the goodness we refuse.
Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with the choir of creation
and all the saints of all times and places
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
One: Blessed are you, O Christ,
for coming to us as a little child
to live baptized in the muck of our fallen world.
Embodying God’s desire to bless all people
you spoke peace to a war-mongering empire,
and were blessed to be a blessing to all people.
When threatened with the terror of crucifixion,
you did not keep silent but stood up
with resurrection new life
to turn the bread of human affliction
into manna from heaven
and the bitter cup of sin
into the sweet joy of celebration.
So even as we lament
at the entrance to your dark, empty tomb
we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
One: Praise be to you, Holy Spirit,
blowing through time
to enliven your people, the church, to live as Christ’s body,
in God’s ministry of redeeming and blessing the world.
Come hover over us now
with your bright brooding wings
in the breaking of bread
and celebration of this cup,
that our eyes may be opened
to recognize Christ among us
and in all who share in this feast today
that we may be knit more closely together
in your ministry of peace and shalom
for the world you so love.
We offer ourselves, our lives, our resources,
to be your hands reaching into the world
with your unfathomable compassion.
Fill us like breath fills flutes
to be instruments of your peace.
One: Where there is lack of regard for your creation
prod us to speak, “Peace!”
One: Where people fail to value the dignity of all persons,
help us uncover each one’s inherent worth.
One: Where there is silence about others being hurt,
impassion us with a desire for justice.
One: God, your creation groans under abuse.
Renew the earth with goodness.
God, your children are starving across this globe.
One: To those who hunger
give bread.
And to those who have bread
give hunger for justice.
One: Innocent people languish in prisons,
some for standing up for your Way.
Release the captives, Holy One.
O God, our Sovereign, leaders in all lands
take bribes and oppress their peoples.
Topple oppressive powers
and send the rich empty away.
One: The sick suffer forgotten in pain.
Heal their hurts in body, mind, and spirit.
Your church luxuriates in the comfort of faith.
Send us to be your servants in service to the world.
This we pray with all the saints across time and space
who pray as you taught us saying….
THE PRAYER THAT JESUS TAUGHT (pray in whatever language is most comfortable for you)
EPICLESIS
Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer
In the same way you blessed the five loaves
To satisfy five thousand starving people in the desert,
So now we ask you to bless this bread.
Sanctify all who eat of it.
May it always be enough,
Not only for us here
But also for all the people in the world, wherever they may be.
Because it is you, Jesus Christ,
Who bless and sanctify all things.
Yours is the glory with the Creator and the Holy Spirit, Giver of Life, now and forever.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION (in Portuguese, by then in Spanish, and finally in English)
RECEIVING THE ELEMENTS
We will receive the sacrament by intinction; please come forward down the center aisle. Dip your bread into the chalice. Wine is in the chalice with a red ribbon. Grape juice is in the chalice without a ribbon. Gluten Free wafers and individual cups filled with juice are available on a separate plate.
Music being played/sing while people are taking communion: (guitars playing- Brennan and others)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Santo, Santo, Santo)
Text: Argentine folk song (Isa. 6:3) Music: Argentine folk song; arr. by Carlton R. Young
Tune: SANTO, Meter: Irr.
Holy, holy, holy.
My heart, my heart adores you!
My heart knows how to say to you:
You are holy, Lord!
Santo, santo, santo.
Mi corazon te adora!
Mi corazon te sabe decir:
Santo eres, Dios!
Passing the peace Lee
One: Recognizing that it is the peace of Christ that connects us as one world body, and that we have received that peace this day through worship, preaching, and eucharist, let us now actively share that peace with one another. The peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you.
Please pass the peace with those worshipping around you.
Song: Siyahamba #2235
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of,
The light of God,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of God
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwen-,
Khanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamba, hamba,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Caminando en la luz de Dios,
Caminando en la luz de Dios,
Caminando en la luz de Dios,
Caminando en la luz de Dios,
Caminando,
vamos caminando
vamos caminado en la luz de Dios
Caminando,
vamos caminando
vamos caminado en la luz de Dios
Benediction: